We Take but do we Give Back?
Last month I spoke about all the gifts Mother Nature has to offer and how we can utilize some of those gifts which is just such a blessing! But just like in any relationship it goes both ways. We need to nurture her, whisper into her ear, care for her and protect her from others. So its time to do a check in - what have you done for Her lately?
With the weather warming up here on the We(s)t Coast we are seeing more activity outside. Parks will soon be full of family picnics and friend bbq’s, we’ll be camping more and hike in our beautiful forests. And don’t even get me started on how amazing our beach days are going to be - ok I’m seriously craving some sun!
All this outdoor is great but the wear and tear on Mother Earth is becoming a bigger issue every year. So here are a few ways you can make sure to minimize your impact…
What you bring in you bring out - don’t rely on the garbage cans or recycling bins located at beaches and parks. We have all seen what happens after everyone goes home and the animals come out to play! Take responsibility for what you bring with you and deal with it at home!
Stay on trail & talk to your kids about erosion - don’t get me wrong going off trail to the hidden parts of the wilderness are amazing but think about the wear and tear on the roots and ground cover that protect the trees and nourish the soil. If everyone did this All the time the forests would suffer and we would start seeing landslides and closed parks. Try a barefoot hike to lesson your impact and really get connected to the Earth!
Make sure your products are Environmentally Safe - if you plan to swim, brush your teeth, do dishes or wash your hair and hands in nature this year be sure you are using toxic free products that wont harm the water ways or destroy the natural balance of the eco system. Sunscreen options that contain Zinc Oxide (instead of Oxy Benzone) are what you are looking for - I recommend this one (the non aerosol spray one is lovely) as it doesn’t leave white streaks behind on your skin and is safe for us and the environment. Our shampoo and conditioner bar options are a great choice for on the go in nature and all our hand and body products will fit the bill for eco friendly and effective! If you are looking for minimalistic, safe alternatives our All Purpose Soap comes in solid and liquid form and is coconut oil based so safe to come in contact with vegetation and water ways.
Clean up Events - are a great way to give back to Mama Earth and spread awareness about the amount of waste we produce. If you are planning to spend the day at the beach or exploring your favourite neighbourhod bring a bag with you and a few friends to clean up as you go! I also make an effort to do this when I go on vacation and enjoy someone else’s community, what better way to say thank you for having you than to leave the place cleaner than you found it?
Packaging - be aware about your are committing to when you choose convenience. Stop, think and plan - what you will do with the left over packaging? Here’s a quick lesson (from me who used to be in the packaging industry so know All about green washing!) Biodegradable Packaging! Sounds great but sadly it is a fancy way to help plastic break down faster and guess what…it will still be plastic, only teeny tiny micro plastics that will decompose faster than if it were left as is granted but No Longer can that plastic be recycled! Think about it - you can’t make playground equipment out of plastic that is going to biodegrade right!? Compostable Packaging is a much better option as it means that it will add value to the composting process rather than leave anything harmful behind. Keep in mind unbleached paper is compostable but also can be re-used. Always Re-Use when you can to give something as much life as possible.
So those are my Tips for you to take along on your adventures this Spring and Summer and hopefully spread to you friends! And remember that with every breath we take we are leaving our mark on this Earth so any opportunity you can take to give back and make a small sacrifice or change will help.
